Clashes between Boyle and Yablonski
(Original Caption) Erie, Pennsylvania: Former United Mineworkers president W.A. Tony Boyle is questioned by newsmen as he arrives at Erie County Airport where shortly afterward he was confronted by Kenneth Yablonski, son of slain Joseph ‘Jock’ Yablonski as he got into the car. Boyle was called ‘killer’ by Kenneth. The former UMW leader is here to testify at the William Prater trial.
Boyle and Yablonski had completely opposing views on how the union should be run, so it was only natural that they clashed several times over the years. Boyle was accused of cronyism, introducing reforms to give himself more power and turn the union into more of a dictatorship than a democracy. A fissure between the union leaders and the workers became deeper and deeper, with Boyle earning his “Tough Tony” nickname for being regarded as a bully.
Yablonski was removed from his role as district president by Boyle in 1965 due to his dissenting views on Boyle’s leadership. However, Yablonski wasn’t going to go down without a fight. In 1969, he announced that he was running against Boyle for UMWA presidency. Corruption marred the election, which saw Boyle win by a landslide. The president had used bribes, intimidation, and other illegal methods to win the race, and Yablonski knew it. He accused Boyle of cheating his way to a win and vowed not to give up.